Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-02-17

Street station IN
up the city OF Phila-
TAD. delphia were in
great demand. One of them was occu-
pied by Tad Thorne. who. though he had
no business there, was enjoying the
warmth as only i small fourteen-year-
old boy can do. after being all day in
the city streets CRYING partor matches
at three cents per bOx-'-two for five.
lad 5 enjoyment was tempered
by i little mental worry, as 4
matter Of course. Nobody is entirely
happy N this world, and Is he warmed
himself Tad was Obliged 10 keep 4
watchful eye on the door of the porter :
room opposite. II was the duty of
that cOlored functionarY 10 assist
tramps and vagrant boys from the
waItIng-room. with scanG ceremony.
Last night he said he'd bounce me il
he caught nle here again. unused Tad.
advancing first one patched shoe and
then the other toward the stove. but
shouldn't think the corporation would
grudge what little fire it takes 10 warm
nue."
VI a ta1Ac III IGIIldlut-tl- III
turbed comfort. So many persons
were constantly coming and going that
no one took particular notice OF the
thinly-dressed paIe-faced lad who occa-
sionaIlv stretched his fingers caressing-
II toward the glowing Goals.
Its the first time I've been warm
clear through since last August
wish could hold heat ike a hot brick
Does Tad soIiIoquized. Is with an
involuntary shiver he thought Of having
TO start out in the chilly air again.
sIs. there 40. other place where you
can 20 and warm Yourself. besides a
waiting-room only intended for the-er
patrons Of the railroad" asked a tail.
aristocratic looking gentleman. with
iron-grav hair. and a very dignitied
manner. who occupied the next seat 20
the one in which Tad was sitting. He
spoke severely and frowned n Tad. as
though the boys presence annoyed
him.
II his address had been more kindly,
Tad's reply would have been more
respectful. As il was. Tad scowled
little.
There's places enough. [ pose
only they don't happen 10 low boys
who hasn't any business there. round
specially if they amt dressed anv bet
tern am he answered. sullenly,
CHANGING involuntarilv down at himself
as he spoke The tall man muttered
something about ''eonfounded NUS
ance." but made no further reply And
as he rose. giving 4 nervous glance at
the clock. Tad noticed that he wore 4
long grav ulster. over a very nice suit
of clothes, while at one side OF the seat
he had vacated lay his travelling rug in
a shawl-strap. and u small alligator
skin sacheI with nickel-plate mount
ings.
Tad was wondering within himself
whether ne ever knew what it was TO
be homeless. cold and hungry when he
was bov. when his me,iitations were
disturbed by the violent ringing of a
hand-belI. accompanied by the hoarse
voice of one of the railroad officials
calling out something, Of which the
words express and passengers
were alone Ineligible to Tad's ear.
This was followed by the usual frantic
rush toward the great swing doors
leading into the depot. The tall gen
slenan sprang nervously 20 his feet.
and, snatching up his travelling rug,
shot through the doorway Is though he
had but tive seconds in which TO board
a train that didnat start for ten min
utes. schedule time. Hi, there.
cried Tad after him. ''vOu We left your
little saeheIr' but the gentleman was
bevond call. So. seiAng the handbag
from the next seat Tad elbowed his
wav through the throng, into the depot.
in hot pursuit of him of the flowing
ulster.
Just inside the swing doors stood a
policeman OF imposing presence. He
was a large fat man but extremely
zeaious. and his professional instincts
were at once reused at the sight OF a
shabbily-dressed boy dedging IN and
ont of the crowd. with nIekei-piated
aIIirat1r-skfn srcheI IN his hand. Step
ning hastily forward he Laid Il heavy
hand on Tad's shoulder
Now. after the manner OF his KIND
Tad regarded all policemen as natural
foes 70 be feared-and. as far as posi-
bile. avoided. So. no sooner did he
recognize the dreaded touch than, slip
ping eel-like from his would-be cap.
tors grasp. Tad. with an inarticulate
cry of terror. dove directly under the
wheels of the nearest train. -.----s----..e
The cars were At a stand-suu, Of
course. but had they been IN notion
am not so sure but Tad would have
acted exactly the same. so great was
his fear of arrest. True, in theory,
conscious innocence is generally sup,
nosed TO show bold front. but unfor'
tunately this is not always the case II
practice. particularly in an issue be-
tween a big policeman and a small boy
Tad emerged on the opposite side
of the track. with the encouraging cry
of Stop. thief ringing In his ears
inst in time TO confront the blue
coated official. who, in some lnexpilca-
bile way, had reached the spot as quick
II as himself
:. There he ist'' shouted young
man. whom Tad had noticed IN the
waiting-room little before and, hesi